Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-07-15
A NIGHT In THE ALPS.
An Harmonious Combination Of
Natures Beauty and Utility.
A Search After the Mysteries of "Schab-
xiger Characterization aud the
sBrown SwItzers."-The Secret
Found In the Native Glover.

Twas an officer of our Government
in Switzerland for many years. and an
inclination for snow fields and mount
ain-heights led me to spend my vaca-
tons in the higher Alps. | was, be-
sides, member of the Swiss Alpine
Club, and this in itself led to many
mountain excursions, in company with
half dozen members of the club,
rugged out with heavy shoes, knee
breeches, Il knapsack and canteen, not
forgetting the never-to- be-neglected
Alpine-stick. With what joyous
spirits we left the crowded city, and
climbed up into the beautiful mount
aims! What songs. we sang, what tales
we told, and what ruddy cheeks and
stout lungs we carried home with
the wreaths of Alpine roses about our
hatsl
Our Government sometimes requires
queer work of its consuls abroad. The
duty becomes the more interesting
when the circumstances also are novel
or unusual. l was once directed to
learn, if possible, how "Schabziger
cheese was made. Some dairyman,
probably, wishing the information, had
requested the Department of State at
Washington to write me on the sub
ject Now, the proper making OF this
very peculiar and little known cheese
is secret of few peasants in the
high Swiss Alps.
This was an interesting comm and
for me, who liked nothing better than
a climb above the clouds.
On an August afternoon I set out
from Zurich. and crossing the lake,
took mountain railway train for one
of the green valleys of the Glarus
Alps.
The little mountain village where
the train stopped is two thousand feet
above sea level, but before me was q
climb of four thousand feet up the
sides of mountain | had never seem
1t was still early, and the sun was re-
fiected from snow-covered peaks in tn,
neighborhood, that were ten to twelve
thousand feet in height. The weather
was perfect, and it would not be darl
before eight or nine o clock.
After considerable searching abou
the village, whose log houses were thu
color of well-smoked hams. l found thu
home of mountain guide. A gooo
guide would be necessity.
How very unfortunate, l thought, oil
hearing from the woman that opened
the door for me that her husband wa
not at home. What was l to do? |
would be dangerous to attempt tn
climb alone.
"Why. mamma, I'll go with the gen
tleman" heard a pleasant voice say
"Tve been up there hundred times
you know" and just then a pretty
roguish, coquettsh-looking girl, wit
eoal-black eyes and sweet laugh
came to the door.
"But can youP' l said.
''Whv, certainly, Why not? Tn
better climber than the gentleman is,
replied the bright-faced girl, who mus
have been sixteen, spite of her dimin,
tive size.
'Good!' l said. very we'll; and tn
hve-franc fee shall be yours.
Gretchen was, in fact, as good
mountain-climber as l, and | ha
prided myself on being a not unwortf
member of the Alpine Club. For IL
first half-hour we trudged gaily alon
up smooth, steep slopes, covered wit
tlan 0x...1S nd txyhn hnts Ia
hundreds of cattle known as Il
Brown Switzer." Beautiful Gait
they were, too, with their mouse-colo
ed skins, their soft hair, and the
great eyes! They are as good-natur
as kittens, and are usually fat. 1t w
an Arcadian scene to see Gretchen,
we passed up path on the green hi
side, call to half-a-dozen mouse color
heifers that were grazing near us.
Come. Reni Come, Cherry, Vet
Don't you know meP' spoke Gretche
kindly; and the household pets spra
over a little brook, and came to h
little flock of doves.
The steep ascent began, and becai
sleeper and sleeper. Soon the lit
brown village seemed far below us, a
the green pastures and Gretchen's |
heifers, being nearer the foot of
forest-covered mountain, were now {
of sight. Once we stopped to rest, a
walked out on ledge of rock Il
overhung precipice two thousand f
In height.
We could look over the little bro